talking back and forth

USAGE SUMMARY

"talking back and forth" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
For example, "The two colleagues spent the afternoon talking back and forth about the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"But we've been talking back and forth".

The New York Times

"And he friended me back, and we started talking back and forth".

The New York Times

"I was talking back and forth with Diane Sawyer," the doctor said.

The New York Times

At least, that is how it feels, like he and the body are talking back and forth.

The New Yorker

This was theatre – or rather, live art – and television talking back and forth with each other in a fruitful way.

The Guardian

"Or they hear the hot dog vendors in the stadium talking back and forth on their walkie-talkies".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"We talked back and forth for a month.

The New York Times

The two men drink and talk back and forth at each other.

The New Yorker

These cells may "talk" back and forth in chemical-ese before passing their environmentally derived message on to the basal cells at the bottom of the taste bud, which may also talk back and forth with the receptor cells.

The New York Times - Science

When I did the David Letterman show, Aretha and I talked back and forth for about two months over email.

The Guardian - Music

They talked back and forth, and in the end Mr. Nell asked the Lexington up for cocktails the next night.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing a more formal or structured exchange, consider alternatives like "discussing reciprocally" or "exchanging dialogue".

Common error

Avoid using "talking back and forth" in highly formal or academic writing where a more precise term like "reciprocal communication" or "iterative discussion" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "talking back and forth" functions as a verb phrase describing an interactive communication process between two or more parties. It emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the exchange, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "talking back and forth" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an interactive conversation or exchange. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the formality of the setting and choose a more precise term like "reciprocal communication" for academic or highly formal writing. Alternatives such as "chatting back and forth" or "discussing reciprocally" offer different nuances for specific situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chatting back and forth

Emphasizes informal and friendly conversation.

discussing reciprocally

Highlights a mutual exchange of ideas in a more formal setting.

exchanging dialogue

Focuses on a structured and purposeful conversation.

having a conversation

A general term for two or more parties engaged in speaking.

in reciprocal communication

Highlights the mutual exchange nature of the interaction.

communicating interactively

Suggests a dynamic and responsive exchange of information.

engaging in a dialogue

Implies a more thoughtful and considered exchange.

conversing with each other

Highlights mutual participation.

interchanging remarks

Focuses on the exchange of brief comments or observations.

bantering back and forth

Implies light-hearted and playful conversation.

FAQs

What does "talking back and forth" mean?

The phrase "talking back and forth" describes a situation where two or more people are having a conversation, exchanging ideas, or communicating with each other in an interactive manner.

How can I use "talking back and forth" in a sentence?

You might say, "The negotiators spent hours talking back and forth trying to reach an agreement" or "The students were talking back and forth about the book they had just read".

What are some alternatives to "talking back and forth"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "chatting back and forth", "discussing reciprocally", or "having a conversation".

Is "talking back and forth" appropriate for formal writing?

While "talking back and forth" is widely understood, it might be too informal for some formal writing contexts. In such cases, consider using alternatives like "reciprocal communication" or "iterative discussion".